New Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says he will juggle winning ambitions with experiments in Tuesday night’s friendly against Costa Rica.
Postecoglou wants to win in his first match in charge of Australia, but also needs a thorough look at his players.
“We have tried a few things at training and there are certain things that I have factored into the team selection that satisfies what I’m looking for,” Postecoglou said.
“I have also got an idea of how I want the team to change during the night.
“Our number one objective is to win the game. But, secondly, there is going to be periods in the game where I want to see other individuals within our system.
“I want to leave this camp knowing … that we have laid some foundations, which means that next time we get together we can move on from there, rather than go back to square one.”
Defender Lucas Neill will become Australia’s longest-serving captain with his 61st game as leader, one more than Peter Wilson in the 1970s.
Postecoglou said there would be dramatic change from his renowned game style at A-League clubs Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory – based on possession, quick passes and attack.
“I had an idea as soon as I got the job how I wanted the team to play in terms of the set-up, the system that we wanted to play,” he said.
“But the core elements are not going to be any different to any team I have coached.
“It’s no secret the way I coach and the way I want teams to play and there will be elements of all that in there.
“And obviously working with players of this calibre, I think I can push them even further than I did at club level.
“Our game will still be possession-based and attacking and hopefully a proactive and aggressive type of game, particularly here at home.”.
Source: AAP.
